Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by the Coxsackie virus. Though it mostly affects young children, it can occur at any age. Outbreaks are most common in the summer and fall. Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually not a severe illness. It can cause: Hand, foot and mouth disease is most contagious during the first week of illness. It spreads through contact with an infected person’s saliva or stool. Germs can get on a person’s hands or
other objects and then spread into someone’s mouth, causing infection. The virus can be found in a person’s stool for up to 4 weeks after the start of the illness. Hand, foot and mouth disease is not spread by animals. Handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. What can parents do?There is no treatment for the infection. Antibiotics won’t help it go away faster. It can last for 7 to 10 days.
Call your doctor if your child:
Reviewed by the following CPS committees
Is this your child's symptom?
Symptoms of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Cause of HFMD
Severe Form of HFMD
When to Call for Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Viral RashCall Doctor or Seek Care Now
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
Self Care at Home
Care Advice for Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD)
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. Last Reviewed: 11/15/2022 Last Revised: 01/13/2022 Copyright 2000-2022. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC. Can you get hand foot and mouth from touching surfaces?Hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads through close personal contact, such as kissing or hugging, coughing and sneezing, contact with feces (poop), and touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them then putting your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth.
What kills hand foot and mouth on surfaces?* To disinfect clean, non-food contact surfaces: use a solution of household bleach and water – 8 teaspoons bleach in a gallon of water. To make a smaller amount in a spray bottle, use 2 teaspoons bleach in a quart of water.
How long does HFMD virus live outside the body?The virus can live on contaminated surfaces for several days. Therefore, parents should clean shared toys and all surfaces potentially contaminated with disinfectant cleaners to protect against the spread of HFMD.
How long after being exposed to hand foot and mouth can you get it?The symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease usually develop between three and five days after being exposed to the infection. The first symptoms may include: a high temperature (fever), usually around 38-39C (100.4-102.2F)
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